Ira Levin was an American playwright and novelist. His popular works have been adapted into many feature films.
Levin was born in New York City and grew up in the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx. His father was a toy importer. He studied at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and New York University.
Levin's first play, No Time for Sergeants, premiered on Broadway on October 20, 1955. Based on a novel by Mac Hyman, the play was a hit. Andy Griffith was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor for his role as Will Stockdale. No Time for Sergeants was adapted to a film starring the original Broadway cast in 1958, and a television series in 1964.
Levin's Critic's Choice premiered at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on December 14, 1960. The production was directed by the legendary Otto Preminger and costume design was provided by fashion designer Oleg Cassini. Though not a huge critical success, the play was adapted into a film by the same name in 1963 starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
Dr. Cook's Garden was produced on Broadway in 1967. Levin himself stepped in to direct the show, replacing George C. Scott. The production starred Burl Ives and Keir Dullea, and was adapted into a made-for-television film starring Bing Crosby in 1971.
Levin's most famous play, Deathtrap, holds the record for Broadway's longest-running comedy-thriller. The show opened on February 26, 1978 and was a sensational success. The original production was directed by Robert Moore and starred John Wood, Marian Seldes, Victor Garber, Marian Winters, and Richard Woods. Deathtrap ran for 1,793 performances and was nominated for four Tony Awards: Best Play, Best Featured Actor, Best Featured Actress, and Best Director. A film adaptation was released in 1982 starring Christopher Reeve, Michael Caine, and Dyan Cannon.
Many of Levin's novels have been adapted to screen as well: A Kiss Before Dying, Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives, and The Boys from Brazil, most notably.
More about Ira Levin
